We’re not even quite at the end of the calandar year, and barely half way through the season, but already rumours of how our heroes will look as they take to the field NEXT season are making there way onto social media.

And first up is Chelsea. I’m sure other clubs will follow suit in the new year.

Now, if it’s real, there’ll be a hint of red on the new shirt. Not something that tends to go down well with blues fans. However, I for one quite like the design. In truth though… It does look as if somebody has simply added a few red and white bits to the current shirt.

As for the away kit… I do like the idea of returning to a yellow shirt. It looks like quite a simple design, but it doesn’t need to be too fancy in my opinion.

Antonio Conte has revealed his plans for Chelsea’s Carabao Cup quarter final during this afternoon’s press conference, as Bournemouth visit Stamford Bridge tomorrow evening.
The Italian has vowed to mix things up as games come thick and fast over the busy Christmas period.

On the injury front David Luiz remains sidelined and Charly Musonda also has a knock that has kept him out recently. Morata was described as “working very well” following his recent absence due to a back problem. Marcos Alonso will miss out due to suspension.
Conte did confirm that Michy Batshuayi and Kenedy will definitely start, and also hinted that youngsters Dujon Sterling, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ethan Ampadu may well be involved.. “These players could be involved, why not” added the blues boss. “These players are the future for Chelsea”

Ampadu looks the most likely having already featured in competition this season.

It’s fair to say Conte is keen to use this competition to give squad players a chance, but there is obviously still a huge desire to progress to the next round, as explained by the former Juventus coach…

“Every competition is serious and our task is to try and win the game, to reach the semi-finals. It’s right in this competition to give the opportunity to the players that aren’t playing with regularity. This is very important”

It remains to be seen what the starting XI will be at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, but one thing is for certain that Chelsea cannot take their opponents for granted. Eddie Howe is without Daniels and King due to injury, and hinted at changes. Especially as the cherries travel to the Etihad at the weekend. However, two blues old boys, Nathan Ake and Asmir Begovic may well be involved against their the club they left last summer.

It’s been a big week for Chelsea Football Club as the Diego Costa saga finally looks to be coming to an end. I won’t go into the whole episode as it’s dragged on for some time now and most Chelsea fans are pleased that it is coming to an end.

Diego played a huge part in securing two League titles in three years and for that I, like most blues fans will be eternally grateful. However, it’s been obvious he doesn’t want to be at Stamford Bridge and his petulance was often his Achilles heel as well as being what made him his snarling best at times. so it’s ‘Adios Amigo’ and best of luck.

Now there’s a new kid on the block…Alvaro Morata. The fellow spaniard has made a decent start for Chelsea with 3 goals in his opening 5 games in the Premier League. Following the Costa sale many pundits and experts asked the question as to the whether the former Real Madrid man could emulate his predecessor? It was also noticeable that he had scored all 3 goals with his head.

Well, yesterday at Stoke City’s Bet 365 Stadium he answered those uncertainties with a display that even the staunch Morata backers wouldn’t have expected. A fine hatrick that showed his finishing ability is of the highest order and all 3 with his feet I must add. It brings his total for the season to 6 in 6 games and shows he has settled into the Stamford Bridge fold perfectly.

Costa gave passion and power and some will argue the Brazilian born striker is a better finisher. Morata on the other hand still needs to adjust to the physical nature of the Premier League. He’s a very different player to Costa and if I had to liken him to anybody, it would be another famous Spanish striker who donned the number 9 shirt at Stamford Bridge… Fernando Torres. Now before you shout “What you on about?” Despite the obvious link, I’m talking more about the Torres that graced Anfield. Pace and a great finishing ability as shown by Alvaro’s 2nd goal yesterday.

It’s still early days as to whether Morata will turn out to be a prize asset and a suitable replacement, but for now it looks a great bit of business as reports suggest Chelsea are making around £58m on the sale of Costa. Which is pretty much the down payment made for Morata. Add-ons being subject to his success could make the fee rise to £70m. So potentially the blues have sold a player 4 years older and replaced him with a fresh young player full of experience but still with plenty of potential who could lead the line for a good few years to come at potentially the paultry difference of £12m. A great bit of business and well done to the powers that be at Stamford Bridge for not giving in to the reported demands of Costa and the fees offered by Atletico.

What do you think… Will Morata prove to be a great bit of business and a perfect replacement?